Container for transport and storage of condiments

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a kit, comprising of numerous pre-fabricated stacking jars screwed together into a single unit, for the compact and organized transport of herbs, spices and other condiments in both as-sold and consumer-chosen numbers and combinations, making new use of pre-fabricated containers that are already available on the consumer market but that are made for and until now used only for the storage and transport of cosmetics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional patent application 61598386, filed Feb. 14, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention is in the technical field of food storage and transportation.

More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of condiment storage and condiment transport.

Even more particularly, the present invention is in the field of transportation and storage of condiments when storage space is limited, or there is a need to keep the weight and size of condiments as small as possible for travel.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many people who like to cook, as well as those who may not like to cook but are simply very picky about how their food is seasoned, like to be able to carry multiple herbs, spices and other condiments with them when they travel—to vacation homes, friends' houses, guesthouses with kitchens, and on camping trips. However, because many people prefer to carry as little luggage as possible when traveling, and to keep said luggage light, it is desirable to carry smaller amounts of these condiments with them than the amounts in which they are typically sold. Few people want to carry numerous full-size condiment jars with them in a carry-on suitcase for a trip of only a few days, but they may still want to carry several different condiments. In addition, even if they choose to put the condiments into smaller containers, these are difficult to organize, which complicates not only the packing process but the cooking one as well.

It is also desirable to be able to carry only the condiments that are needed, and for this reason the ideal system for transport would allow the individual condiment containers to be separable and able to be combined in any number or combination without losing organization or adding excess size and weight.

Many people like to have multiple herbs, spices and other condiments on hand even when they are not traveling, but need to be able to store them in a very small space—for example an office drawer, small storage unit in a dorm room, overpacked cabinet or crowded countertop in a small kitchen.

Various products intended for the compact storage and compact, lightweight transport of herbs, spices and other condiments are presently available for consumer purchase, but they all have defects that make them less than ideal for the task. A kit that is available at many camping stores holds a variety of herbs and spices, but the containers are difficult to open, and the holes (for shaking) in the lids are of a size that the herbs and spices don't come out easily. Many people have found it so difficult and inconvenient to use that they have not used the spices within it even if they were carrying it for that express purpose. Another problem with this kit is that it offers only a fixed quantity of containers for condiments, making it necessary to carry the whole kit, whether that number of condiments or fewer (or more) is actually required.

Another type of travel condiment kit that is popular right now has the problem of having a thin metal case that is easily dented, glass windows in the lids of each pot that can break and contaminate the pot's contents with shattered glass, and a tendency to leak spices whenever the kit is inverted or shaken.

Other products being marketed as “travel spice kits” are actually large and cumbersome, with unnecessarily large containers; or feature only a very limited selection of condiments that do not meet the needs of even the average cooking or seasoning fan.

Therefore, what is needed is a system for the transport and compact storage of condiments that is durable, light-weight, inherently organized, and easily customizable to accommodate the use of whatever number and combination of condiments are desired.

In the past, a number of devices which contain condiments and offer some portability have been proposed. A search of the patent literature has uncovered the following related US-issued patents:

No. 20020148363 U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,670 U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,820 No. 20070181600 No. D525488

No. D654322

Frommer Cozzie Kelley Ben-Shlomo McWhorter Stuiber et al

October, 2002 September 1997 February 2002 February 2006 July 2006 January 2012

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a kit, comprising of numerous pre-fabricated stacking jars screwed together into a single unit, for the compact and organized transport of herbs, spices and other condiments in both as-sold and consumer-chosen numbers and combinations, making new use of pre-fabricated containers that are already available on the consumer market but that are made for and until now used only for the storage and transport of cosmetics.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight, durable, organized and compact method for the transport of herbs, spices and other condiments in both provided and customizable numbers and combinations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a way to transport separate condiments in such a way that they are bound together into a single, solid unit, while kept completely separate from one another within that unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved way for people to store herbs, spices and other condiments than typical spice and condiment jars currently provide, in a fashion that requires little space but simultaneously offers a wide range of condiment options, in kitchens, dorms, offices and/or other places that often have very limited storage space.

These and other objectives are achieved in the present invention through the use of existing, pre-fabricated plastic jars that are well known for another, non-food-related use; and instruction in the new use via the demonstration inherent in the new invention's existence and presence on the consumer market.

The features that make this invention new in comparison to other existing artwork meant for the same purpose are its light weight, its high resistance to denting or breakage, its ability to be customized (by the addition, removal, and/or reorganization of the individual containers within the stack), its ease of use, and its inherent organization by way of the containers being able to be screwed firmly together into a single unit. These features, inherent in these containers, have been prized within the cosmetics industry for use with cosmetics, but until now have not been available or presented for use with herbs, spices or other condiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention, shown with different condiments inside it;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention, shown without a lid and without condiments inside it;

FIG. 3 is a side view of three interlocking components of the invention, specifically three body jars, showing their threading at top and bottom,

FIG. 4 is a side view of a lid from the present invention, showing its interior threading;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a base jar from the present invention, showing the threading at its top;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention fully assembled and filled with condiments, inside a shoulder bag as might be used for travel, shown alongside other cooking utensils; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention fully assembled and shown in a kitchen context, illustrating its ability to contain condiments in a compact fashion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 there is shown the primary embodiment of the present invention: a stack of interlocking clear plastic jars 10, shown here each containing one condiment, screwed together into a single unit with a lid 12 on the top body jar 14. Each body jar 14 has screw threads 20 at its bottom and top. At the bottom of the stack is a base jar 16, which has screw threads 20 only at its top. At the top of the stack is a lid 12 with screw threads 20 inside it. Shown inside the stack 10 are various condiments 18.

In still more detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1, the stack 10 as shown contains the condiments 18 in a secure, compact and organized fashion by way of the jars being screwed together into a single unit. Each body jar 14 comprises the lid of the body jar 14 below it, by way of screwing onto the top of that jar with screw threads 20. The base jar 16 has screw threads 20 only at its top, onto which the body jar 14 above it screws. The top body jar 14 is closed with a lid 12, whose screw threads 20 fit its own screw threads 20.

Still referring to the invention of FIG. 1, the stack 10 as shown is of a size of 9 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter, making it small enough to fit comfortably into a small bag of a kind most often used for travel, and small enough to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.

The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 1 are that the components of stack 10 may be made of rigid, high-strength polystyrene (PS) plastic or any other rigid, high-strength plastic such as polyethelene (PET) and the like. Further, the components of stack 10 may be made in any size that is convenient to prospective users for either the transportation or storage of condiments. Smaller sizes are most convenient for travel, and bigger ones are sometimes desirable for stationary kitchen use. Even further, the components of stack 10 may be made of either clear (translucent), semi-opaque or opaque plastic.

FIG. 2 shows another stack 11 of body jars 14 and a base jar 16, without any condiments 18 inside it, and without lid 12, showing the threads 20 at the top of each body jar 14.

FIG. 3 shows a smaller stack 13 of body jars 14, seen without a base jar 16 or a lid 12.

FIG. 4 shows a lid 12 on its own, with its screw threads 20 visible.

FIG. 5 shows a base jar 16, with screw threads 20 visible.

FIG. 6 shows a stack 10, containing condiments 18, fitting easily inside a 12-inch-wide shoulder bag 22 along-side other cooking instruments 24 that a cooking enthusiast might often travel with.

FIG. 7 shows stack 10 in the context of a kitchen 26 where other cooking instruments 24 are stored in a space-efficient fashion, illustrating how stack 10 is able to contain several condiments 18 within a very small space.

In an embodiment of the invention, a storage system is provided comprising a plurality of interlocking jars. Each jar may further comprise an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of each jar will have a thread pattern adapted to engage the thread pattern at the bottom portion of another jar. For example, in an embodiment, the upper portion of each jar will have a male thread pattern and the bottom portion of each jar will have a female thread pattern. When a plurality of jars are locked together using the threads, there will be a top jar where the upper-portion of the top jar remains uncoupled to any other jar. It may be desirable to have a lid to cover the top jar so that whatever is stored in the top jar will not spill out. The invention contemplates a lid that will screw on by engaging the thread pattern at the upper portion of the top jar. The lid may also snap over the upper portion of the top jar. It may also be desirable to provide a bottom jar that lacks the thread pattern so that the interlocked jars have a more refined appearance. When so engaged the interlocking jars form a storage receptacle capable of storing a variety of substances. The jars may be made from any suitable material including plastic, glass, metal and the like.

In another embodiment of the invention, a storage system is provided comprising a plurality of interlocking jars. Each interlocking jar may further comprise an upper portion further comprising an outside surface where the outside surface is further comprised of a thread pattern. Each jar will also have a bottom, with a bottom surface. A flange extending below the bottom surface will further comprise an inside surface where the inside surface is further comprised of a thread pattern complementary to the thread pattern on the outside surface of the upper portion of the jar, capable of engaging the thread pattern on the outside surface of the upper portion of another interlocking jar The invention contemplates providing at least one lid capable of engaging the thread pattern on the outside surface of the upper portion of an interlocking jar. It may also be desirable to provide a bottom jar that lacks the thread pattern so that the interlocked jars have a more refined appearance. When so engaged the interlocking jars form a storage receptacle capable of storing a variety of substances. The jars may be made from any suitable material including plastic, glass, metal and the like.

In another embodiment, the invention is a method for storing substances, particularly condiments, comprising the steps of selecting at least one condiment for storage, placing an amount of the at least one condiment into at least 2 of the jars described above, engaging the male thread pattern at the top portion of one of the jars with the female thread pattern at the bottom portion of another jar; and covering the remaining top portion of the jar with a lid. When marketing to consumers, instructions may be provided to the customer so they know how to use the system.

The term condiment as used should be construed broadly to include spices, herbs, mixtures thereof, classic condiments, or any other small quantity of foodstuffs.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that is contains numerous condiments within a single, solid item, offering improved organization than a collection of separate condiments containers; that it allows the condiments it contains to be stored in a stacked, upright manner, which allows the collection of them to take up a much smaller amount of horizontal space than a collection of separate, un-stackable containers; that it can be made of components small enough to allow an assembled stack to remain very light in weight and small in size, making it ideal for travel—or large enough to replace the usual separate jars of herbs and spices seen in a typical kitchen; that the components screw together tightly enough and are manufactured in such a way and of such a materials that the total stack is resistant to liquids and humidity; that it is durable enough to withstand light impact such as it might sustain in a travel bag or crowded kitchen; that the translucency of its materials allows the condiments inside to be readily seen, even while they are protected; and that the components screw together sufficiently tightly enough that spillage of the condiments in transit is extremely unlikely.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A storage system comprising: a plurality of jars, each jar further comprising; an upper portion, the upper portion further comprising a male thread pattern; and a lower portion, the lower portion further comprising a female thread pattern such that the plurality of jars can be joined together by engaging the male thread pattern with the female thread pattern.
 2. The storage system of claim 1 further comprising a bottom jar which lacks the female thread pattern.
 3. The storage system of claim 1 further comprising a lid adapted to cover the upper portion of at least one of the plurality of jars.
 4. A storage receptacle formed by joining the plurality of jars described in claim 1 by engaging the male thread pattern at the upper portion of a jar with the female thread pattern at the lower portion of a jar such that a top jar is present with an exposed male thread pattern which is covered with a lid.
 5. The storage system of claim 1 where the plurality of jars are made of plastic.
 6. The storage system of claim 1 where the plurality of jars are made of glass.
 7. The storage system of claim 1 where the plurality of jars are made of metal.
 8. The storage system of claim 3 where the lid snaps over the upper portion of the jar.
 9. The storage system of claim 3 where the lid engages the male thread pattern at the upper portion of the jar.
 10. A storage system comprising a plurality of interlocking jars, each interlocking jar further comprising: An upper portion further comprising an outside surface where the outside surface is further comprised of a thread pattern; A bottom surface; A flange extending below the bottom surface, the flange further comprising an inside surface where the inside surface of the flange is further comprised of a complementary thread pattern capable of engaging the thread pattern on the outside surface of the upper portion of another interlocking jar; and At least one lid capable of engaging the thread pattern on the outside surface of the upper portion of an interlocking jar.
 11. The storage system of claim 10 where the plurality of jars are made of plastic.
 12. The storage system of claim 10 where the plurality of jars are made of glass.
 13. The storage system of claim 10 where the plurality of jars are made of metal.
 14. A method for storing condiments comprising: selecting at least one condiment for storage; placing an amount of the at least one condiment into at least 2 of the jars described in claim 1; engaging the male thread pattern at the top portion of one of the jars with the female thread pattern at the bottom portion of another jar; and covering the remaining top portion of the jar with a lid.
 15. A method comprising providing a user with the storage system of claim 1 and allowing the user to store items with the system.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of providing the at least one user with instructions on how to use the system. 